How Much Sodium Is in Cumin?

Cumin is a low-sodium spice.

While as many as 10 percent of American adults are deficient in some essential vitamins and minerals, about 90 percent consume far too much sodium, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average American consumes approximately 3,400 milligrams of sodium daily although the Food and Nutrition Board recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams per day. A wide variety of foods naturally contain sodium, including spices such as cumin, which only has trace amounts of the mineral.

Sodium Content

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Nutrient Database reports that a 1-teaspoon serving of cumin contains only 4 milligrams of sodium. This amount supplies under 1 percent of the total sodium intake recommended for healthy adult men and women. If you are on a sodium-restricted diet due to high blood pressure, kidney disease or diabetes, a teaspoon of cumin still provides only 0.2 percent of your 1,500-milligram recommended daily sodium limit. According to guidelines detailed by the National Labeling and Education Act, cumin can be considered a sodium-free food because it contains less than 5 milligrams of sodium in every serving.

Comparison to Other Foods

Cumin contains about as much sodium in every 1-teaspoon serving as 1 cup of cooked whole-wheat spaghetti, 1 cup of legumes such as lentils or split peas, 1 cup of raw papaya or mango pieces, 1 whole green bell pepper or 10 dried apricots. It has slightly more sodium per serving when compared to foods such as cucumbers, summer squash, pears, strawberries, corn, bananas, blueberries and apples. Cumin contains significantly less sodium than processed foods such as ham, canned soups, salted potato chips or pretzels, fast-food sandwiches, salt and packaged seasoning mixes. The USDA reports that a single generic packet of onion soup seasoning mix can contain nearly 3,500 milligrams of sodium.

Dangers of High Sodium Intake

Although your body needs sodium to help regulate your blood pressure and to maintain the electrochemical balance that allows muscles to contract and nerve cells to transmit impulses, focusing your diet on high-sodium foods instead of low-sodium foods such as cumin can increase your risk of high blood pressure, kidney disease, stroke, heart disease and heart failure. A 2011 study published in the "Archives of Internal Medicine" determined that people who consume too much sodium and too little potassium are much more likely to develop heart disease and die of major chronic medical problems.

Reducing Sodium Intake

If you are concerned about your sodium intake, incorporating a low-sodium spice such as cumin into your diet can help you lower your sodium consumption. Instead of using salt or prepared seasoning mixes that may be high in sodium, add flavorful cumin to sodium-free spice blends and use as a rub for meat, chicken or fish, or use the blend to flavor your food at the table. In addition, avoid processed, prepackaged or canned foods in favor of produce, unprocessed grains and fresh meat. When you do use convenience foods, choose low- or no-sodium varieties. In restaurants, ask for low-sodium options or request that your food be prepared without salt.